Kharis blinked...and blinked...She sat there blinking in confusion as Sonia and Manic recounted their day to the young woman later that evening. Kharis had returned to her home only to be met with a few Secret Service men awaiting her and her home barren and destroyed.

She had been terrified at first, thinking they were there to hurt her and had done something with the royal family. She had given them a good run for their money, dashing down the streets of the small neighborhood before they could react.

Once caught and brought to the hotel however-with the men a bit more battered and bruised with her thrashing and bites- she was reunited with the others and had been promptly ordered to sit so they could explain.

"We're sorry Kharis...we were able to savage pretty much everything from the home but a lot of things had been broken or left behind..." Sonia said, the pretty pink hedgehog started when she saw Kharis sitting there quietly, a few tears dripping down her face...

...Only to be surprised when Kharis lunged, gathering the trio into her arms the best she could and beginning to sob. "I was...so scared...! I didn't know if you were safe or what happened at all when I saw those men! Thank goodness your ok...thank the goddesses..." The 23 year old woman cried, and the Mobians tightened their own arms around her and each other as well. They were safe for now, safe and together again.

And they had a lot more to discuss.

The hotel they were in was the nicest in all of Station Square, right in the heart of the city. 'Ange en Blanc' if Kharis recalled correctly, it meant Angel in White in French. It was a 7 story, 5 star establishment with high standards and reviews from many celebrities from around the world who passed through.

Safe to say poor Kharis felt very out of place in the Presidential Suite her and the others were in, much like poor Manic who kept twitching nervously every now and then.

On the table in the spacious living room, which was made of textured glass in between an expensive white leather couch and plasma tv bigger than said couch...Laid an abundance of books on home designs and architecture. There were also fashion magazines mixed in that Sonia wasted no time in retrieving.

Kharis assumed they were there so the Mobians could pick out designs and structures for the new house they received. Kharis didn't feel at all comfortable getting to live there as well, feeling like she was just an expendable item in the Governments eyes.

It had taken the gentle prodding from the Queen to get her to even agree to live there with them in the first place, and the family included her when picking out furniture and room designs.

Stationed outside their door were two of the secret service men, to whom they would give the books for the home with the marked pages and notebook in which they had written special requests. The men also brought in their dinner as the kitchen had not yet be stocked up from their short notice.

"Oh this is all just to much...and it's barely 6 pm!" Kharis moaned quietly as her head spun.

"Yes, well...the night is still young, my dear. Tonight we have a few more preparations to do before bed and I wish to start your lessons tonight as well, so once you've eaten your fill, please retire to the bath." Queen Aleena informed as she elegantly ate the provided 4 course meal with ease.

Kharis had been sitting ram rod straight through the whole meal, feeling ashamed and embarrassed to be eating with the Royal family now. Sonia's table etiquette was elegant and dainty, Manic's a bit rougher and relaxed though still refined.

The queen though, hers almost made Kharis's head spin. She made barely a sound, still kept up easy conversation and just oozed Royal elegance and refinement that Kharis barely believed she was just eating! It hadn't been like this in her little apartment, they had seemed far more relaxed during their little meals together. She supposed it had something to do with their surroundings and the days happenings.

Still, she didn't feel so out of place if she thought about it objectively; she knew the basics of table etiquette from what she had done in self study, and watching them helped her pick up the flow decently enough.

As per the Queens orders, Kharis retired to the bath once the meal had ended. This left Aleena and Sonia to giggle quietly as they quickly opened up the books on fashion and the books of the Royal families from around the world they were in. Manic had to roll his eyes lovingly at his mother and sister, as they designated him the jewelry expert and thusly gave him a few magazines as well specific to the glittering gems.

"We can finally get some new clothes! And surprise Kharis as well!" Sonia giggled, her bright cerulean eyes shining in girlish delight. "She will need them after all, and it's the least we could do for all the trouble that has come to her from our arrival." Aleena agreed, flipping through a book that showed the timeline from Ancient Greece to Modern England on Royal family garb.

"I just wished she had more self-confidence in her self, ya know? I mean yeah, she seems confident at first, but then she just so openly talks about her faults and everything that's wrong with her with little prodding. I know she doesn't ever really talk about what really bothers her, but it seems she gets worse every time she begins to list her faults.."

Manic pitched in, his solemn voice ringing out and quieting the two women before him. His mother nodded as his sister frowned. "Well, yes, that's true. It isn't really clear on how she is the way she is. She told us about growing up, with elderly parents and everything. To others she would seem quite blessed and shouldn't have any complaints." Aleena agreed

"But that doesn't mean anything when it comes to a persons heart. She told us about having very little friends who stuck around, all the pressure with living with elderly parents and their high expectations of her. She knows it's wrong how she is, so all the blame she puts in herself. She's convinced deep down that she's damaged goods!"

Sonia spoke up in Kharis defense, able to connect a little as well. She always felt like she was unneeded in the war against Dr. Robotnik, and in the band as well. She was raised in refinement by the nobles, and it took her the longest to get to the point where she could fight without her keyboard/laser.

Sonia also knew deep down how her actions and words often hurt her brothers when she ridiculed them or insulted them but it was just who she was! Plus she was the weakest link, always getting them in trouble or getting captured in a trap.

So for Sonia, she could relate the most to Kharis knowing it was all the little things that led to such an unwanted personality characteristic.

Aleena hugged her daughter, able to sense the oncoming tears the little pinkette was trying to hide, and could see the similar flash of emotions in Manic's eyes as well. "That's why we are going to help her, my sweet ones. Just like we helped each other."

Aleena cooed quietly, making the twins smile. "Now, we need to get to work, we need a whole new wardrobe for her and for us." The queen stated with a wink, hustling them back to the task at hand. They needed to be done before Kharis got out of the bath!

-With Kharis-

Kharis sat there, soaking in the large jacuzzi tub. She felt bad being the first one in the bath, but she wasn't going to argue with a Queen of an entire planet who was also buddies with the President of Kharis' whole friggin country!

Plus, she admitted that she had always wanted to take a bath like this. They had retrieved her bathing supplies from the home as well as the Mobians, but had upgraded them and added to it!

The hot water relaxed her muscles and the jets were set on high, beating out every bit of tension in her until she felt like a satisfied rag doll. The water was mixed in with specialized Beauty Milk as well, giving it a sweet scent and softening her skin to a smooth texture.

There was a ledge that was part of the tub, where she was able to sit easily without splashing water everywhere and wash her body. The smell of "Love and Sunshine" scented body scrub was always enough to perk her mood right up with its fresh and fruity scent mixed with citrus. It also made it easy to shave her body as well, which she spent a good long time on to make sure every bit was smooth as silk with the high grade razor they had switched her cheap one out for.

Nipping always at the back of her mind though were despairing thoughts. Kharis shouldn't be the one enjoying this kind of high class bath. A real beauty of a woman should! One with long luscious hair, petite and feminine body with real curves and immaculate skin. A real princess like that.

Not a woman with an average body, a mid-size bone structure, no curves and short frizzy hair. People have said she was pretty before, despite her not so white teeth that were large both in the front and in their over bite. Or her acne that never wanted to disappear despite what products she used, and she was never one for make-up. It made her wonder what other lies had been fed to her half heartedly...

Shaking the thoughts away harshly, Kharis snapped herself out of it. She was going to enjoy this fairytale like dream as long as it lasted, and she would be grateful for it!

Nodding to herself, she grabbed her shampoo and conditioner. She tended to change up her Shampoo and conditioner often, trying to find the one that worked best on her hair. Right now she was on one she thought she may just stick with.

It's was Regis Designline-Enchanted Midnight for color luxury. It worked with natural or colored hair, it didn't matter. She really liked it for its exotic smell that still seemed sweet...and the fact that on the back in its description it said, "Fortified with South Sea pearls, black diamonds and black sapphires..."

She wasn't kidding, that's what it really said and for over 20$ per individual bottle she could believe it to a degree. Plus it wasn't tested on animals so it was even better in her opinion.

So as it was that she didn't emerge from the bath for an hour and a half, clad only in a thick and fluffy white towel. Her skin was smooth and shiny thanks to her vigorous scrubbing and gleamed a rosy pink from the waters high temperatures. Scuttling to her room in embarrassment for forgetting a change of clothes, she was glad to see they paid no attention to her.

She saw all three Mobians looking intensely through some of the magazines and catalogs, though from her distance she couldn't see what held them so intensively. Entering into the guest room of the suite-having at least won the argument that they should have the master bedroom-she drew up short once the door closed.

The room could have fit her entire apartment in it, it seems. The walls were a light beige and there was a thick black carpet which offset the red oak cabinets, vanity and canopy curtains covering the large windows that had the best view of the Center of Station Square were a sheer white color, whispy and light in material. All in all, it was hands down the nicest room she had ever been in, though the lack in color variety and wide empty space made it feel cold and unwelcoming.

Laying spread out awaiting her was a set of undergarments, made from a soft, stretchy and silky fabric in a deep emerald green tone. They had white lace on the sides and the front on the band it had a pretty light pink silk bow. Blushing heavily when she realized it was obviously set for her by either Sonia or the Queen.

The nightgown itself was made of a silk like fabric and was a pale teal green in color. It reminded her of the clothes worn back on the Renaissance era, with the empire styled top/bodice and long sweeping length that caressed the floor elegantly.

She had found it in a thrift store a few years ago and it was hands down her favorite. The nightgown itself was thin and light, almost see through. But it was the robe she wore with it religiously that she adored the same color and fabric as the night gown, it was nice and heavy with a multiple layered bottom that flared out from where it tied right beneath her bust. It reminded her of the simple gowns the nobility would wear.

Putting on the familiar garments made her feel comfortable and happy, loving the feel on her freshly cleaned body and smooth form. Sitting down on the almost over cushiony bed, feeling like she sank down a good few inches in doing so, she applied her body lotions.

Taking her time to apply them evenly, Kharis' mind wandered back to Shadow as it often did now a days. She wondered...would he be able to smell these scents in their nightly meetings. Probably not, that was to much to hope for...

Wait...hope for? Just what was it she was hoping...Shaking her head to rid herself of the dangerous thoughts, she finished up and rejoined the family in the spacious living room after donning her robe.

-•-•-•-•-

"Sounds like you've been busy..." Shadow said, standing beside Kharis as she sat on the familiar floor of the white expanse.

"Like you wouldn't believe..." Kharis groaned, her body sore even in her dreams. Queen Aleena had ran her through drill after drill on poise and posture, both for sitting, standing, and walking.

It was enough to make her pass out once her head had hit the pillow.

She had fallen asleep with her robe on, thankfully, not wanting to appear in such a sheer nightgown in the presence of Shadow. He had even complimented her on it too! That had nearly stopped her heart then and there, not expecting such a thing from the usually stoic hedgehog.

Shadow stood there, staring at her with critical Ruby eyes. He had felt a deep, burning anger when she told him about the men chasing her and the destruction of her home. He couldn't describe it, much like he couldn't help the words that flowed from scowling lips when she was injured before.

It felt similar to the protective nature he held for Maria, but different. It had become natural for her to come now, for him to listen to her tales from her waking hours. He had come to treasure those times with her, as it made him realize just how lonely he was when she was gone. Though he would never admit such a thing.

Though he wouldn't hesitate to tell anyone he wanted to throttle her a few good times too; this woman was both immensely adorable and extremely annoying at the same time. How hard was it for her to stay out of trouble?!

And he had definitely noticed her scent, an intoxicating mix of scents he had never before met was wafting with a soft gentleness that struck faster than a bullet. How intoxicating would her smell be in reality, outside this white expanse?

"Hey.." He said, stopping whatever chittering she was doing, making him smile mentally as she looked at him with her expressive Hazel green eyes."You said you sang for that man...will you sing for me?"

He held back a chuckle as her face became as red as the streaks on his pristine fur, as her mouth gapped open and she stumbled over a reply before finally giving up.

"Fiiine..." She grumbled in defeat, her pink lips pursed in a pout.

"There's a story no cares to know

Stuck in time like a kaleidoscope.

Star crossed lovers bound by the chains of fate.

Better hurry or you'll be to late.

Her screams will echo up to the stars above,

He calls her name but she can't respond.

The Heart, it strains under the crushing pain

Clouded Darkness before the light of day..."

A disturbing feeling settled itself inside Shadow's chest as he heard her sing. Her voice may not have been the best, but it was both emotional and real and he couldn't look away.

Her song was haunting and foreboding, and her eyes were half closed in almost a saddened, dreamy expression. He notice that the Heart, which had become an expected companion to the human, was glowing as well.

He knew things were about to change drastically soon, but he didn't know if it would be for the better...or for the worse.